Testing Lab of Power Supply/ IT / AV Products

What certifications are required for power supply products to be listed on Amazon? The answer involves a multi-layered compliance framework spanning safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and energy efficiency. This article provides a detailed analysis of the key testing standards that power supply products must satisfy across major Amazon marketplaces.

Safety Standards: The Foundation of Power Supply Certification

Power supply products—including adapters, chargers, switching power supplies, and UPS systems—are classified as safety-critical devices because they handle mains voltage and deliver electrical energy to end-user equipment. Consequently, safety testing forms the most rigorous and indispensable layer of the certification process.

UL 62368-1 / UL 60950-1 (United States)

The prevailing safety standard for power supply products in the U.S. market is UL 62368-1 (Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment — Safety Requirements), which has progressively replaced the legacy UL 60950-1 standard. Key test items include:

• Dielectric strength (hi-pot) testing — verifies insulation integrity between primary and secondary circuits under high-voltage stress
• Temperature rise measurement — ensures that no component or accessible surface exceeds safe temperature limits under normal and abnormal operating conditions
• Abnormal operation tests — evaluates the product's behavior under single-fault conditions such as output short circuit, component failure, and overload
• Grounding continuity — confirms the integrity of protective earth connections for Class I equipment

EN 62368-1 / EN 60950-1 (European Union)

Under the LVD Directive 2014/35/EU, power supply products in the EU must be tested to EN 62368-1 or EN 60950-1. While the test methodology closely mirrors the UL counterparts, there are notable differences in specific test conditions, temperature limit values, and the treatment of certain insulation requirements. Sellers should be aware that a UL test report cannot be submitted in lieu of an EN-standard report for CE marking purposes.

J 62368-1 (Japan)

Japan's PSE certification for power adapters (classified as Category A specified electrical products) requires testing per J 62368-1, the Japanese national adaptation of IEC 62368-1. Notably, the PSE A category mandates certification by a Japan-approved RCAB (Registered Certification Assessment Body), which includes a factory inspection component not required for Category B products.

EMC Standards: Emission and Immunity Requirements

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing for power supplies encompasses both emission (the product's electromagnetic disturbance output) and immunity (the product's resilience to external electromagnetic disturbance).

• FCC Part 15B (U.S.) — conducted emissions and radiated emissions testing per 47 CFR Part 15, Subpart B; applicable to all power supply products as unintentional radiators
• EN 55032 / EN 55035 (EU) — emission and immunity standards under the EMC Directive; EN 55032 replaces the legacy EN 55022 and EN 55013, while EN 55035 replaces EN 55024 and EN 55103-2
• J 55032 (Japan) — the Japanese adaptation of CISPR 32, applicable to PSE certification for power supplies with USB or other data outputs

Energy Efficiency Standards: An Often-Overlooked Requirement

External power supplies (EPS) are subject to mandatory energy efficiency regulations in the U.S. and EU markets, and non-compliance is a frequent cause of Amazon listing rejection:

• DOE Level VI (U.S.) — the Department of Energy's energy conservation standard for external power supplies, as codified in 10 CFR Part 430; sets maximum no-load power consumption and minimum average efficiency levels based on nameplate output power
• CEC (California) — the California Energy Commission standard, which aligns closely with DOE Level VI but applies specifically to products sold in California
• ErP / EC No 278/2009 (EU) — the Ecodesign Directive implementing measure for external power supplies, establishing efficiency and no-load consumption thresholds consistent with the international Code of Conduct

Sellers should note that energy efficiency compliance requires the product to meet both the no-load power consumption limit and the average active efficiency threshold at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of rated output current.

Choosing a Certification Partner for Power Supply Products

Given the multi-dimensional nature of power supply certification—spanning safety, EMC, and energy efficiency—selecting a testing and certification provider with demonstrated competence in all three areas is essential. Key evaluation criteria include:

• Comprehensive scope — the provider should be able to conduct safety, EMC, and energy efficiency testing under one roof, eliminating the need to coordinate across multiple laboratories
• Multi-market capability — the ability to deliver FCC, UL, CE, PSE, and DOE/ErP certifications through a single engagement streamlines the process and reduces overall timeline
• Power supply specialization — domain expertise in power supply products enables the provider to offer proactive design guidance and pre-compliance assessments that reduce the risk of test failure

Anchi Testing specializes in testing and certification for power supply and adapter products, offering one-stop services across FCC, UL, CE, PSE, and energy efficiency compliance frameworks. Our team supports sellers from initial compliance assessment through to final report delivery.

This article was AI-assisted. The information provided is for reference only and does not constitute any certification commitment or legal advice. Please refer to the latest official regulations for authoritative guidance.

Contact：net01@gtggroup.com